Don't own Chuck
Back at Ali's safe house Sarah decided against a frontal assault but instead entered the build that was being restored next to it. She went up on the roof then looked over at the roof top next door. There was only a narrow alleyway that separated the two so she flashed. Walking backwards to the opposite side she ran to the edge and at the last moment leaped over landing on the adjacent roof top dropping into a ball then rolling out of it she sprang to her feet.
"Piece of cake we're good so far," she radioed into Mike below as she went to the roof top door that gave way to an internal stairwell.
"I'm going dark now. I can't risk any rf signals setting off anything. Hold your position I'll get word to you when I need you," she said into her watch as she activated the signal jammer. "No use on taking any chances that Ali might get a wild hair and try to remotely detonate any bombs."
"Okay signal jammer set now let's get on with this," she said to herself as she picked the door for the stairwell. But before she opened it she slipped a fiber optic camera snake under the door to look around to make sure the door wasn't booby trapped.
"Good all clean," she said to herself as she rationalized that Ali thought if agents did find him they'd come bungling in through the floors below. He never thought about an aerial assault from above or this was his escape route. Either way she was in. Quietly she made her way down the stairs to what seemed to be the kitchen. Standing in the doorway she saw Miriam tied to a chair in front of her on the table was a bomb.
"Miriam," said Sarah as she walked quietly into the kitchen. She didn't think Ali had any accomplices but she wasn't going to take the chance. "I'm here to get you out. That certainly is a lot of C-4 there. Are there any other men around besides Ali?"
"No, he left to go meet Razhib. That crazy man left that bomb there but not before telling me if I move it goes off," said Miriam. Sarah looked at it and what he told her was true. Miriam was sitting on a pressure plate that connected to the bomb as an open circuit. If she got up the circuit was completed and it went off.
"Okay before I can cut you free and get you out of here I'm going to need to deactivate it. How did he activate it? He sat this in front of you then what? I need to know so I can do the process in reverse order. Believe me it's the fastest way."
"I don't know if I can remember. I was so scared not that I'm not now but let me see... Yes I remember he threw that switch on the side," said Miriam as Sarah pointed at it. "Yes that one then he put his thumb on the scanner there and the red light turned green. But we need his thumb to deactivate it. Please tell me I'm not going to die. My mother doesn't know where I am. I lied to her this morning when told her I'd be staying with a friend all day."
"Not necessarily," said Sarah. Miriam gave her a puzzled look. "I mean we don't necessarily need Ali's thumb. But technically you didn't lie either. You told your mother you'd be staying with a friend and Razhib is a friend so you didn't lie."
"I didn't really tell her it was Razhib I'd be spending the day with either. Thanks for distracting me I feel a lot better."
"It's just called putting life in perspective. Did he get you this water with his bare hands?" Miriam nodded. She felt the knot in her stomach loosen after her talk with Sarah. "Good, now all we need is some tape," said Sarah. In the other room there was plenty of tape he used to make his bombs with then she went to the white stucco wall and took out her knife to scrapped off some to form a white powder on a sheet of paper.
"Now we'll get our thumb print," she said. She blew the white stucco dust over the glass while she held it on the inside.
"There we go one perfect thumb print," said Sarah as she took the tape and lifted it off the glass. Then she wrapped the tape around her own thumb.
"A little-known fact you can't just take the tape and get it scanned. There has to be pressure behind the print for it to scan or it won't work," she said as she pressed her thumb on the scanner. The green light turned red then she switched the safety back on and the bomb was deactivated.
"Phew it's done now we can get out of here," said Sarah as she cut Miriam loose. "Let's get moving..." she started to say but Miriam threw her arms around her.
"Thank you... thank you," she repeated as she hugged Sarah crying. "Oh no and what about Razhib? He's supposed to meet that horrible man. We have to stop him," she said as she wiped her eyes dry.
"Don't worry Razhib is being watched over. Chuck and Margo are taking care of him and they're going to make sure nothing happens to him."
"You mean his father is here? Wow, I told Ali that Razhib's father would come and he'd regret all this. But I wasn't sure he would actually come here."
"Yes his father... Chuck... right," said Sarah. "Well, how about that. Come on we need to get you out of here before Ali comes back and brings down the house or raises the roof. I'm not talking about his musical abilities. We're not out of the woods yet. I'm going to take you to the roof then we're going to repel down."
"I don't know how to repel," said Miriam. "I've never been mountain climbing or anything like that nor camping for that matter. My father thinks nature should be seen from the window or on television. We watch a lot of Animal Planet."
"Don't worry you won't have to do anything I'll lower you then. So Chuck and Razhib isn't that nice," said Sarah.
"Yes, it is, isn't it? But I don't understand how Razhib, his father and Morocco all fit together. I'm a little confused."
"You're not the only one," said Sarah as they reached the roof. She tied Miriam in a make-shift harness then started to lower her over the side of the building.
"Please don't let me fall," said Miriam as she started down and froze. She couldn't move up or down.
"Hey look up at me... open your eyes. Yes, like that and just listen to my voice. Just listen to me and soon all this will be over with," said Sarah as she continued to talk to her and before Miriam knew it she was on the ground.
"Just like dropping carrots for the horse to lead them into the stall," said Sarah as she got herself ready then repelled down. When she got down she found Mike waiting for her with his team.
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Back at the Pub Razhib sat down at a table next to Margo with Chuck sitting across from them. Chuck yelled over to the bartender and ordered tea. The barkeep didn't look too happy with Chuck's choice of drinks but being in a multi-ethical city it wasn't the first time. Margo put her arm around Razhib and held him close.
"I know I've never been much of one who shows her affections... that was always my sister... your mother. But I can tell you that will change today. I can't tell you how much pain I would've felt if something had happened to you. If you want to go to Tunis or Morocco to see your father's family I've got some vacation time we can go together as a family."
"No... no I'm done with that. All the family I need is right here with you," said Razhib. She squeezed him tight and kissed him on the head.
"Here's your tea, gunpowder tea with fresh mint," said the barkeep as he placed three glasses on the table and the pot. "I haven't been out back yet. If there are any damages I'm going to add it to your tab."
"And we'll pay it," said Chuck laying a five hundred euro note on the man's tray. He smiled and life was grand again for him. Chuck waited until he left.
"Okay now tell us about out back. Start from when you left through the back door," said Chuck as he poured everyone tea. "A little it-tay will help," he said as he handed Razhib his glass."
"Shukran," said Razhib. "Well I went outside and as I expected there was no Ali. I looked around and waited.
[Earlier in the alley]
"There you are," I said as Ali emerged from his hiding spot. "I was beginning to wonder if you were too afraid to show yourself."
"You've gotten quite the smart mouth on you since we last met. But you're still the little boy. I'm done playing now give me the watch and let's get this over with."
"First I want Miriam then I'll give you the watch and not a minute before," I said but Ali pulled a pistol on me but I wasn't scared.
"I could shoot you right here and be done with it but I'd prefer not to. So just hand it over and I'll be on my way."
"What if I told you I didn't bring the watch with me? Do you think I'm stupid enough to bring my only bargaining chip with me?"
"Yes because I can see it in your pocket now. So be a good lad and just hand it over. I promise I'll give you the address where Miriam is tied up at. In fact, it's near here... see I wrote it out on this piece of paper. Now you toss that watch over... I tell you what I'm going to do since I've got the gun. I'm going to give you the address first," said Ali.
And then he took out a piece of paper from his jacket pocket waded it up and tossed it to over to me. I picked it up and I read it.
"Okay I up held my end of the deal now it's your turn. Give me the watch or you won't leave this alley alive."
"Okay, okay here you go," I said then I pulled out the watch and tossed it to him. He caught it and smiled back at me. I could tell then he was thinking what to do with me. "I don't know why you want it. It doesn't keep good time anyway."
I knew then he couldn't resist so he popped the lid and saw that it wasn't ticking. He smiled at me with that evil smile of his.
"You think you're smart don't you. You put a bomb in this so when I wind it it'll go off in my hands. But I don't need to wind it and for that matter it doesn't need to work for me to get what I want. See these Roman numerals carved on the inside cover. Those are numbers that go to a bank account in Geneva with millions in it along with the names of the Toy maker's clients and soon to be my clients."
"You've got what you want now leave me and Miriam alone," I said but he just stood there laughing. "What's so funny you got what you wanted."
"That you'd be so stupid to come here like this and expect me to uphold my end. Human stupidity just never ceases to amaze me."
"What's that supposed to mean?" I had an idea but I was afraid to hear the answer. "So what is it that you... don't tell me you already killed Miriam... you sick..." I started to go for him but he motioned me back with his pistol.
"I wouldn't try that if I were you. She's not dead yet we've got a little time before the bomb goes off and I thank you for the safety device you incorporated into the Master's watch," he said as he showed it to me then he closed it.
"You see yes I wired an explosive in it but it wasn't connected to the stem. I figured he'd think that was what I had done. But no I connected it to the lid so when he opened it the bomb went hot and when he closed it..."
"It exploded in his hand. You weren't trying to kill him you just want to make sure he couldn't hurt anyone else."
"Exactly, I picked up his pistol and was standing over him wondering what I should do when a van pulled up and men speaking Serbian jumped out. They grabbed him as an old man walked up to me smiling.
"He said he'd take care of my trash for me," and then they left. "Geez Miriam, we need to get to her."
"Don't worry Sarah went to rescue her when I came here. We figured out where Ali's safe house was so there's no need to panic." But as Chuck was talking they heard a loud explosion outside.
"Stupid kids and their fireworks," yelled the bartender. Chuck and Rashib were at the door when Sarah and Miriam came walking in.
"Some kids just blew up a dumpster," said Sarah as she looked at the three of them heading out. "We aren't investigating pranks now? Where are you three headed? Don't tell me Sweetie you of all people doubted my abilities?"
"Who us? Doubt you never," said Chuck as he tried to dig himself out. "No we were... well we were just coming to look to see what was going on."
"What's going on are some kids who've got too much money and don't know what to do with it other than bother me. But one of these days I'm going to catch one of them and then we'll have some fun. What's everyone looking at? This is a pub which means people need to drink." Chuck waved at bartender. "I know more tea... Geez I should've opened a tearoom."
"I think you and I need to go somewhere where we can talk," said Razhib as he looked down at Miriam's feet.
"Hey, my eyes are up here," she said as she raised his head then kissed him on the cheek. "That man was crazy and he would've hurt me if it wasn't for you. You risked your life to save mine."
"But you were in danger because he knew... well you know that I kind of like you. Not that you have to like me back or anything but I'm the reason he grabbed you."
"But you risked your life when you didn't have too and I kind of like you too if you haven't figured that out."
"Then I think you two need to go into the back corner and figure out what 'kind of' means," said Chuck. "You two go we adults will stay up here."
"Oh Chuck one last thing this is the number that was on the inside of the watch. I wrote it down before I changed it on the inside. I wasn't going to risk Ali getting his hands on it."
"Thanks, I just want the client list. The money will be yours when you come of age," said Chuck. "You need to go rescue Miriam I see Margo's got her corned." Razhib quickly ran over to his girlfriend's aid.
"Now that's some good fatherly advice," said Sarah. "And speaking about fatherly advice I think we need to have a talk with Sam about her bag or at least we should look in it to see what she's carrying around."
"She just believes in the 6 Ps of life," said Chuck. Sarah gave him a look. "Don't tell me you've never heard that prior planning prevents piss poor performance?"
"I'm not saying I haven't heard it. It's just that I don't think a five-year-old has," said Sarah as Chuck started to kiss her but she put her hand over his mouth.
"What's the matter? I didn't do anything... well at least not yet," he said then he noticed she was looking around. "Since when do we care if someone sees us?"
"No it's just... well, Miriam thinks you're Razhib's father and what would she think if she sees you kissing me your partner?"
"That I'm a very lucky man," said Chuck as he took her by the hand outside where they kissed. "Now let's go get our kids and relax before the next national or international disaster hits. For being a vacation we certainly have done a lot of work. I wonder if this is what they call a working vacation? Because as a vacation it really sucked."
"I know what you mean let's go get the girls maybe we can go out on the bay tomorrow with them on a picnic on the boat."
"That sounds like fun but I can't help but wonder how Morgan and Casey are doing?"
"They'll be fine. All they have to do is turn Ettore over to our people in Poland then turn around and leave. What trouble can they get into?"
"You realize we're talking about Morgan and Casey? They both were born with trouble as their middle names. But I don't want to think about them now. I just want to think about you and the girls." Chuck kissed her and looked her in the eyes.
"What's that look for? I know that look and you can forget it. Two is where I draw the line."
"I was just thinking three is the perfect number."
"And so is two... a nice even number," she said as she laughed. "Come on we're almost at the Casino. I want to see Sam's face when we walk through the door then I want to hold Bunny. Thank you, Sweetie for giving me all this."
"And thank you for giving me you heart," he said as he started to kiss her but she took off running.
"Last one to the casino is a stinker," she yelled back at him as she ran laughing.
"Not fair," he yelled as he tried to catch up to her laughing. "You've got a head start."
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General Beckman sat tapping her pen on her desk as her Major and Roan stood behind her. The monitor in front of her flickered then Casey and Morgan came on. They were reporting in from Warsaw and the General wasn't happy with them. The Major tried to stifle his laughter but Roan didn't try to keep it in.
"Roan, I think you ought to go out front and wait until you can control yourself," said the General. "Major, am I going to have a problem with you?"
"No ma'am I've got this," he said as Roan just shook his head then started to walked out with tears running down.
"I just have to ask before I go why did he draw L's on your foreheads. It sounds like he was getting even for something. What does the L mean? Lost... losers... lucky, I think we can rule out that last one wouldn't you agree."
"Roan, I think you were on your way out. If you want to stay you have to behave yourself but if you go outside don't go flirting with Connie. She's go work to do," said Beckman before she turned back to the monitor. "Now can either or you explain how a simple hand off became too much for you."
"It wasn't our fault. Ettore's men were waiting for us posing as the people we were supposed to pass him off to. The next thing we knew we were waking up like this," said Morgan.
"It was as if he had this plan already in the works when we grabbed him in Varna. I think he had all sorts of back up plans in the works so if one failed there was another one."
"But that would mean he'd have to be able to calculate the probability of success for each phase with different outcomes."
"Which he can because of the intersect he now has," said the Major. Everyone looked at the General.
"Okay it was a mistake letting him steal it but we did take out his computer so he won't be making anymore intersect agents..."
"And the other one is sleeping with Luca Brasi," said Morgan. Casey thumped him on the back of the head. "Ouch! What's up with that? Didn't you pick up on the Godfather line?"
"I picked up on it alright and I'm about to drop it on you. General request permission to go after Ettore and this time do some extraordinary rendition on him."
"Permission denied you are to fly to England... Mildenhall. There you'll be met by an agent from MI6 and he will brief you on your next mission and please before you get there wash you faces."
"Yes ma'am right away," said Casey. As they were talking Roan came running back inside carry a tablet.
"I'm sorry to interrupt but you've got to see this. This was just sent up from cyber division," said Roan. "They found it just posted on the dark web. One second and I'll set up mirroring on the monitor so you can see it too Colonel Shoot 'em up."
Casey grunted and growled. He tried to play it off but he had a bad feeling about what Roan was about to show them. Then Morgan and his photos came on the screen with big L's on their forehead and a caption underneath 'Losers'.
"There you go Ettore cleared up whatever doubt we had as to what the 'Ls' stand for. Just one second as I hit like."
"Give me that thing," said the General.
"I'm going to tear him limb from limb from limb," said Casey as steam started to roll out of his ears. "Just wait until I get my hands on him."
"Well that will have to wait. You've got your new assignment. Beckman out."
Continued in Chuck vs The Gift Horse
